Professor Karen Moritz
Professor

Karen Moritz

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 65305

Background

Prof Karen Moritz is internationally renowned for her work in understanding how early life perturbations contribute to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disease in adulthood. Over the last 5-7 years, her research has focused on determining how prenatal alcohol can result in “developmental programming” of disease. Her research has identified critical windows of susceptibility to alcohol, including the period around conception and prior to implantation. In addition, her work has identified the placenta as playing a key role in the sex-specific offspring outcomes following maternal perturbations. Her research spans both preclinical and clinical domains, highlighted by her appointment as the Director of the Child Health Research Centre in 2016.

Current projects are:

  • Periconceptional alcohol exposure: Programming long-term health in offspring (with Dr Lisa Akison and Dr James Cuffe)

  • Emerging therapies for diabetes and complications: Effects on metabolic, cardiovascular and renal function (with Dr Linda Gallo)

  • Effect of prenatal insults on the developing placenta (with Dr Marloes Nitert Dekker, Prof Vicki Clifton [Mater], Dr David Simmons and Dr James Cuffe)

  • Effect of prenatal insults on the developing kidney and implications for adult disease (with Dr Peter Trnka [QLD Children's Hospital])

  • Impact of maternal cannabis and alcohol around conception on development and long-term health of offspring (with Dr David Simmons and Dr Lisa Akison)

Prof Moritz maintains a strong commitment to teaching of students, including lectures and research student supervision in undergraduate programs, supervision of Honours students and supervision of higher degree research students.

Availability

Professor Karen Moritz is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Clinical sciences Zoology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne

Search Professor Karen Moritz’s works on UQ eSpace

365 works between 1990 and 2025
All (365) Journal Article (254) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (99) Book (1) Other Outputs (6)

221 - 240 of 365 works

2012

Journal Article

247 MECHANISMS PROGRAMMING TRANSGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF NEPHRON DEFICITS IN F2 MALE RATS FROM MOTHERS BORN SMALL

Hanvey, Alanna N., Gallo, Linda A., Cullen-McEwen, Luise A., Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2012). 247 MECHANISMS PROGRAMMING TRANSGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF NEPHRON DEFICITS IN F2 MALE RATS FROM MOTHERS BORN SMALL. Journal of Hypertension, 30 (&NA;). doi: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000420140.25271.9b

247 MECHANISMS PROGRAMMING TRANSGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF NEPHRON DEFICITS IN F2 MALE RATS FROM MOTHERS BORN SMALL

2012

Journal Article

Effect of Pregnancy for Females Born Small on Later Life Metabolic Disease Risk

Tran, Melanie, Gallo, Linda A., Wadley, Glenn D., Jefferies, Andrew J., Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2012). Effect of Pregnancy for Females Born Small on Later Life Metabolic Disease Risk. PLoS One, 7 (9 Article No. e45188) e45188, e45188. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045188

Effect of Pregnancy for Females Born Small on Later Life Metabolic Disease Risk

2012

Journal Article

Mechanism of alcohol-induced impairment in renal development: could it be reduced by retinoic acid?

Gray, Stephen P., Cullen-McEwen, Luise A., Bertram, John F. and Moritz, Karen M. (2012). Mechanism of alcohol-induced impairment in renal development: could it be reduced by retinoic acid?. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 39 (9), 807-813. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2011.05597.x

Mechanism of alcohol-induced impairment in renal development: could it be reduced by retinoic acid?

2012

Journal Article

Alcohol exposure during late gestation: Multiple developmental outcomes in sheep

Kenna, K., Sozo, F., De Matteo, R., Hanita, T., Gray, S. P., Tare, M., Moritz, K., Bertram, J. F., Black, M. Jane, Brien, J. F., Parkington, H. C., Walker, D. W. and Harding, R. (2012). Alcohol exposure during late gestation: Multiple developmental outcomes in sheep. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 3 (4), 224-236. doi: 10.1017/S2040174412000244

Alcohol exposure during late gestation: Multiple developmental outcomes in sheep

2012

Journal Article

Increased cardiovascular and renal risk is associated with low nephron endowment in aged females: an ovine model of fetal unilateral nephrectomy

Singh, Reetu R., Jefferies, Andrew J., Lankadeva, Yugeesh R., Lombardo, Paul, Schneider-Kolsky, Michal, Hilliard, Lucinda, Denton, Kate M. and Moritz, Karen M. (2012). Increased cardiovascular and renal risk is associated with low nephron endowment in aged females: an ovine model of fetal unilateral nephrectomy. PLoS One, 7 (8) e42400, e42400.1-e42400.11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042400

Increased cardiovascular and renal risk is associated with low nephron endowment in aged females: an ovine model of fetal unilateral nephrectomy

2012

Journal Article

Normal lactational environment restores cardiomyocyte number after uteroplacental insufficiency: Implications for the preterm neonate

Black, M. Jane, Siebel, Andrew L., Gezmish, Oksan, Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2012). Normal lactational environment restores cardiomyocyte number after uteroplacental insufficiency: Implications for the preterm neonate. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 302 (9), R1101-R1110. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00030.2012

Normal lactational environment restores cardiomyocyte number after uteroplacental insufficiency: Implications for the preterm neonate

2012

Journal Article

Renal responses to furosemide are significantly attenuated in male sheep at 6 months of age following fetal uninephrectomy

Singh, Reetu R., Moritz, Karen M., Bertram, John F. and Denton, Kate M. (2012). Renal responses to furosemide are significantly attenuated in male sheep at 6 months of age following fetal uninephrectomy. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 302 (7), R868-R875. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00579.2011

Renal responses to furosemide are significantly attenuated in male sheep at 6 months of age following fetal uninephrectomy

2012

Journal Article

Epigenetics and developmental programming of adult onset diseases

O'Sullivan, Lee, Little, Melissa H., Combes, Alexander N. and Moritz, Karen M. (2012). Epigenetics and developmental programming of adult onset diseases. Pediatric Nephrology, 27 (12), 2175-2182. doi: 10.1007/s00467-012-2108-x

Epigenetics and developmental programming of adult onset diseases

2012

Journal Article

Cardio-renal and metabolic adaptations during pregnancy in female rats born small: Implications for maternal health and second generation fetal growth

Gallo, Linda A., Tran, Melanie, Moritz, Karen M., Mazzuca, Marc Q., Parry, Laura J., Westcott, Kerryn T., Jefferies, Andrew J., Cullen-McEwen, Luise A. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2012). Cardio-renal and metabolic adaptations during pregnancy in female rats born small: Implications for maternal health and second generation fetal growth. Journal of Physiology, 590 (3), 617-629. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.219147

Cardio-renal and metabolic adaptations during pregnancy in female rats born small: Implications for maternal health and second generation fetal growth

2012

Journal Article

Postnatal ontogeny of angiotensin receptors and ACE2 in male and female rats

Sampson, Amanda K., Moritz, Karen M. and Denton, Kate M. (2012). Postnatal ontogeny of angiotensin receptors and ACE2 in male and female rats. Gender Medicine, 9 (1), 21-32. doi: 10.1016/j.genm.2011.12.003

Postnatal ontogeny of angiotensin receptors and ACE2 in male and female rats

2012

Journal Article

The arterial depressor response to chronic low-dose angiotensin II infusion in female rats is estrogen dependent

Sampson, Amanda K., Hilliard, Lucinda M., Moritz, Karen M., Thomas, Merlin C., Tikellis, Chris, Widdop, Robert E. and Denton, Kate M. (2012). The arterial depressor response to chronic low-dose angiotensin II infusion in female rats is estrogen dependent. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 302 (1), R159-R165. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00256.2011

The arterial depressor response to chronic low-dose angiotensin II infusion in female rats is estrogen dependent

2012

Conference Publication

Do corticosteroids have different effects in preterm or small babies?

Moritz, K. M. (2012). Do corticosteroids have different effects in preterm or small babies?. 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the High-Blood-Pressure-Research-Council-of-Australia (HBPRCA), Perth, WA, Australia, 6-9 December 2012. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. doi: 10.1161/HYP.0b013e3182602164

Do corticosteroids have different effects in preterm or small babies?

2012

Journal Article

Long-term alteration in maternal blood pressure and renal function after pregnancy in normal and growth-restricted rats

Gallo, Linda A., Denton, Kate M., Moritz, Karen M., Tare, Marianne, Parkington, Helena C., Davies, Meagan, Tran, Melanie, Jefferies, Andrew J. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2012). Long-term alteration in maternal blood pressure and renal function after pregnancy in normal and growth-restricted rats. Hypertension, 60 (1), 206-213. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.112.195578

Long-term alteration in maternal blood pressure and renal function after pregnancy in normal and growth-restricted rats

2012

Journal Article

A rodent model of low- to moderate-dose ethanol consumption during pregnancy: Patterns of ethanol consumption and effects on fetal and offspring growth

Probyn, Megan E., Zanini, Simone, Ward, Leigh C., Bertram, John F. and Moritz, Karen M. (2012). A rodent model of low- to moderate-dose ethanol consumption during pregnancy: Patterns of ethanol consumption and effects on fetal and offspring growth. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 24 (6), 859-870. doi: 10.1071/RD11200

A rodent model of low- to moderate-dose ethanol consumption during pregnancy: Patterns of ethanol consumption and effects on fetal and offspring growth

2011

Journal Article

Sex specific changes in placental growth and MAPK following short term maternal dexamethasone exposure in the mouse

Cuffe, J. S. M., Dickinson, H., Simmons, D. G. and Moritz, K. M. (2011). Sex specific changes in placental growth and MAPK following short term maternal dexamethasone exposure in the mouse. Placenta, 32 (12), 981-989. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2011.09.009

Sex specific changes in placental growth and MAPK following short term maternal dexamethasone exposure in the mouse

2011

Journal Article

Urine-concentrating defects exacerbate with age in male offspring with a low-nephron endowment

Singh, Reetu R., Denton, Kate M., Bertram, John F., Dowling, John and Moritz, Karen M. (2011). Urine-concentrating defects exacerbate with age in male offspring with a low-nephron endowment. American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology, 301 (6), F1168-F1176. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00463.2011

Urine-concentrating defects exacerbate with age in male offspring with a low-nephron endowment

2011

Journal Article

The placental response to excess maternal glucocorticoid exposure differs between the male and female conceptus in spiny mice

O'Connell, Bree A., Moritz, Karen M., Roberts, Claire T., Walker, David W. and Dickinson, Hayley (2011). The placental response to excess maternal glucocorticoid exposure differs between the male and female conceptus in spiny mice. Biology of Reproduction, 85 (5), 1040-1047. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.093369

The placental response to excess maternal glucocorticoid exposure differs between the male and female conceptus in spiny mice

2011

Journal Article

Defining and redefining the nephron progenitor population

Hendry, Caroline, Rumballe, Bree, Moritz, Karen and Little, Melissa H. (2011). Defining and redefining the nephron progenitor population. Pediatric Nephrology, 26 (9), 1395-1406. doi: 10.1007/s00467-010-1750-4

Defining and redefining the nephron progenitor population

2011

Journal Article

Fetal uninephrectomy in male sheep alters the systemic and renal responses to angiotensin II infusion and AT1R blockade

Singh, Reetu R., Moritz, Karen M., Wintour, E. Marelyn, Jefferies, Andrew J., Iqbal, Javed, Bertram, John F. and Denton, Kate M. (2011). Fetal uninephrectomy in male sheep alters the systemic and renal responses to angiotensin II infusion and AT1R blockade. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 301 (2), F319-F326. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00139.2011

Fetal uninephrectomy in male sheep alters the systemic and renal responses to angiotensin II infusion and AT1R blockade

2011

Journal Article

Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure in the sheep alters renal development in utero: Implications for adult renal function and blood pressure control

Moritz, Karen M., De Matteo, Robert, Dodic, Miodrag, Jefferies, Andrew J., Arena, Debbie, Wintour, E. Marelyn, Probyn, Megan E., Bertram, John F., Singh, Reetu R., Zanini, Simone and Evans, Roger G. (2011). Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure in the sheep alters renal development in utero: Implications for adult renal function and blood pressure control. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 301 (2), R500-R509. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00818.2010

Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure in the sheep alters renal development in utero: Implications for adult renal function and blood pressure control

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Understanding how binge drinking affects kidney development (NHMRC 2023 Ideas Grant administed by Monash)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Expansion of FASD Diagnostic Services in Southern Queensland with Support for regional and remote settings
    Drug and Alcohol Program
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    A tiered approach to the diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in remote Indigenous primary care settings (NHMRC Partnership Project administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Gene Expression to Predict Long-Term Outcome in Infants After Heart Surgery
    MRFF Accelerated Research - Congenital Heart Disease administered by AusIndustry
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Host Gene Expression Signatures to Diagnose Sepsis in Children
    MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission, Project Grant administered by AusIndustry
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2024
    The Drug and Alcohol Program: Review and Dissemination of the Australian Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Diagnostic Tool GO2647
    Commonwealth Department of Health
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Vevo 3100 Imaging System for ultrahigh resolution and frame rate echocardiographic assessment of small animals.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    The Best I can Be: Screening and assessing for FASD in the foster care system
    Key Assets the Children's Services Provider (Australia) Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Sakzewski Core Translational Research Group
    The Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Chronic health outcomes following early life exposure to alcohol
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Diagnostic Services and Models of Care (Led by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Sakzewski Core Translational Research Group
    The Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A state-of-the-art spinning disc confocal microscope for high speed imaging of live cells and super resolution microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    NHMRC Research Fellowship: Developmental programming: mechanisms and interventions
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Mitochondrial analysis suite
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Establishment of an Integrated Facility for Single Cell Analysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Mechanisms and consequences of renal denervation in chronic kidney disease (NHMRC Project Grant administered by Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute)
    Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Periconceptional alcohol exposure: effects on the embryo and fetus and disease risk in adulthood
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Consequences of elevated maternal glucocorticoids for early childhood renal development and function (NHMRC Project administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Establishment of Integrated Small Animal Metabolic and Physiology Assessment Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Examining vascular structure and function using pressurised myography
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Placental clock gene expression in the Spiny Mouse
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Stress-induced disease risk for pregnant mothers born small (NHMRC project lead by University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Modelling the regulation of nephron number by the renal stem cell niche
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Real time regional tissue analysis suite
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    ResTeach 2011 0.2 FTE School of Biomedical Sciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    The role of hypoxia in the developmental programming of the kidney
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Establishment of a digital Scanscope system for virtual microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    In Situ Hybridization Suite for Biomedical Science Researchers
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    How do prenatal perturbations influence kidney development and result in adult onset diseases
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009
    "Real Time PCR Facility for Biomedical Researchers"
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Does moderate prenatal alcohol exposure cause metabolic disease
    Diabetes Australia Research Trust
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Poor kidney development resulting in kidney disease and high blood pressure
    National Heart Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Quantitative Histological Core Facility
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Karen Moritz is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    Biomarkers of acute kidney injury in infants

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Advancing facial dysmorphology diagnostic practices for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lisa Akison, Dr Natasha Reid

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Delphi Study of Pregnancy Alcohol Risk Perceptions: Application for Health Educational Resources

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Natasha Reid

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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